Crank it Up

Crank it Up: A High-Voltage Pragmatic Play Slot Review

Game Overview & Theme

Step onto the factory floor with Pragmatic Play's Crank it Up. The slot presents a visually striking steampunk-inspired workshop, filled with intricate gears, pipes, and glowing gauges. The reels are set against a backdrop of industrial machinery, with a dynamic soundtrack featuring rhythmic clanks and whirs that perfectly complement the theme. Symbols are crafted from various metals and tools, including bronze, silver, and gold nuts and bolts, wrenches, and pressure valves. The visual and audio design works in harmony to create an atmospheric experience that makes every spin feel like you're powering up a complex, rewarding machine.

How to Play Crank it Up: Rules & Mechanics

Unlike traditional payline slots, Crank it Up uses a popular and engaging Cluster Pays system. Wins are formed by landing groups of 5 or more matching symbols that connect horizontally or vertically anywhere on the 6x7 grid. This opens the door for multiple winning clusters to appear on a single spin. The game features a high volatility model, meaning wins may be less frequent but have the potential to be significantly larger when they land. Players can adjust their total bet with ease, choosing a stake between a minimum of $0.01 and a maximum of $100 per spin, catering to both cautious newcomers and high-rollers.

After any winning cluster, the Cascading Reels feature (also known as the Tumble feature) kicks in. The winning symbols are removed from the grid, allowing new symbols to fall into the empty spaces from above. This can create chain reactions of consecutive wins from a single spin. The cascade continues until no new winning clusters are formed.

Symbols, Payouts & Special Features

The symbols in Crank it Up are tiered by value. Lower-value symbols are the bronze, silver, and gold gear symbols. Higher payouts come from the tool symbols: the wrench and the pressure valve. The game also includes two special symbols that are key to unlocking its biggest potential.

• Wild Symbol (The Golden Gear): The Wild symbol substitutes for all regular paying symbols to help form winning clusters. It can appear anywhere on the reels during both the base game and bonus rounds.


• Scatter Symbol (The Power Gauge): Landing 3 or more Scatter symbols anywhere on the grid triggers the highly lucrative Free Spins bonus round.

Bonus Features Deep Dive

The real engineering marvel of Crank it Up lies in its interconnected bonus features, which can dramatically amplify your wins.

The Crank Meter & Feature Symbols

Flanking the grid are two "Crank Meters." Every time a winning cluster is part of a cascade, one or more special Feature Symbols may land on the reels. These are collected and fill the Crank Meters. There are three types of Feature Symbols, each corresponding to a powerful modifier that is applied for the duration of the current cascade sequence (or Free Spins round):

• Multiplier Symbol: Increases the win multiplier for the cascade.


• Extra Wild Symbol: Adds extra Wilds to the grid for subsequent tumbles.


• Extra Symbol Symbol: Transforms a lower-paying symbol into a higher-paying one for the cascade.

When a meter is filled, its corresponding feature is upgraded to a more powerful version for that sequence. This creates a thrilling progression system where the potential builds with every cascade.

Free Spins Bonus Round

Landing 3, 4, 5, or 6 Scatter symbols awards 8, 10, 12, or 20 free spins respectively. The bonus round is where Crank it Up truly reaches its peak power. Before the round begins, you receive a random number of starting upgrades on your Crank Meters. Crucially, the meters do NOT reset between tumbles during Free Spins. Any upgrades you earn persist for the entire duration of the bonus round, allowing the modifiers to build to incredible levels. Retriggers are also possible by landing additional Scatters, adding more free spins to your total.

RTP, Volatility & Max Win Potential

Crank it Up offers a player-friendly Return to Player (RTP) of 96%, which is above the industry average. Combined with its high volatility, this setup promises a thrilling ride suitable for those who enjoy games with a higher risk-reward profile. The maximum win potential in Crank it Up is a massive 10,000 times your bet. This colossal win is most likely achievable during the Free Spins round, where the persistent Crank Meter upgrades can lead to screen-filling clusters with enormous multipliers.

Crank it Up: Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Engaging Cluster Pays mechanic with cascading wins.


• Innovative and interactive Crank Meter system that builds excitement.


• Highly rewarding Free Spins feature with persistent upgrades.


• High max win potential of 10,000x bet.



• Wide betting range suitable for all balances.

Cons:

• High volatility can lead to longer periods without significant wins.


• The array of features may seem complex to absolute beginners.


• Theme may not appeal to players who prefer classic or organic aesthetics.

Similar Games & Provider Info

If you enjoy the cluster-pays mechanics of Crank it Up, we highly recommend exploring our dedicated page for Cluster Pay Slots | Slottomat, where you'll find a curated selection of similar games. For an even broader list, check out Cluster Pays Slots - Free Grid & Cluster Win Games | Slottomat.

As a leading developer, Pragmatic Play is known for its diverse and high-quality portfolio. If you like their style, you might also enjoy the mythical adventure of 888 of Olympus, the colourful Asian-themed Lucky Tiger Gold, the spicy Mexican chase in Red Chili Hunter, the underworld journey in River of Styx, or the gem-filled frenzy of Gem Fire Fortune. To see all games from this and other providers, visit our Complete Slot Providers List - All Software Developers | Slottomat.

Final Verdict

Crank it Up by Pragmatic Play is a masterfully crafted high-volatility slot that successfully blends a compelling industrial theme with deep and rewarding gameplay mechanics. The star of the show is undoubtedly the Crank Meter system, which adds a layer of strategy and palpable progression to every cascade and free spin. While its high volatility means it requires some patience, the potential for upgrades to snowball into a 10,000x win is incredibly enticing. Whether you're a fan of cluster pays or just seeking a slot with substantial feature depth, Crank it Up is well worth a spin on the demo.